Olympus 12mm Black
Score: 86/100
Samyang 24mm F1.8
Score: 83/100Rankings
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 is an ultra-compact, all-metal prime lens offering a fast f/2 aperture and excellent sharpness. Its trade-offs include noticeable vignetting and barrel distortion at the widest aperture. Ideal for street, travel and low-light shooters who value portability.
The Samyang 24mm f/1.8 FE is a compact, weather-sealed wide-angle prime with fast autofocus and a bright f/1.8 aperture, delivering sharp images and good low-light performance. While its by-wire focus ring can feel stepped and bokeh isn't perfectly circular, it offers strong value for Sony E-mount users. Suited for landscape, astrophotography, and hybrid shooters.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 mm | 24 mmbest | |
2best | 1.8 | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.2 m | 0.19 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 130 gbest | 454 g |
— | 9best | |
0.1 | 0.2best | |
11best | 11best | |
8best | 8best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(2) | ||
Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Mount Compatibility | Micro Four Thirds System Camera | Sony E |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | MSC | Silent STM |
Focus Type | MSC internal focusing system | Autofocus |
Optics(5) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 12 mm | 24 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 2.0 | 1.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 0.2 m | 0.19 m |
Macro Ratio | 0.08 | 0.21 |
Coating | ZERO | Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) |
Build & Design(5) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 46 mm | 58 mm |
Weight (g) | 130 g | 454 g |
Length (mm) | 43 mm | 72 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 56 mm | 65 mm |
Construction Material | All-metal | Metal |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the OM System 12mm f/2 for its ultra-compact build, silent MSC autofocus, and outstanding sharpness across the frame even wide open. They highlight the premium all-metal construction, precise manual-focus clutch, and excellent flare resistance from the ZERO coating. The main criticisms focus on the visible vignetting at f/2, slight barrel distortion, occasional purple fringing, and the omission of a lens hood.
Everyday users love the lens's "true magic" image quality, rapid and accurate autofocus, and the lightweight, sturdy metal body that fits comfortably in a travel kit. Common praise centers on low-light performance, portability, and the satisfying manual-focus feel. Recurring complaints involve sample-to-sample variation, noticeable vignetting and distortion at wide apertures, purple fringing in high-contrast scenes, and the lack of an included hood.
Professional reviewers commend the Samyang 24mm f/1.8 for its impressive mid-frame sharpness, lightweight construction, and weather-sealed build, calling it a significant step up from earlier Samyang models and praising its quiet AF for video. They note the by-wire focus ring's tactile feel and the less than perfectly circular bokeh as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users repeatedly praise the lens's portability, feather-light weight, and sharp wide-angle results for landscapes, astrophotography, and portraits, often highlighting its excellent value. Common complaints focus on the stepped feel of the electronic focus ring and the desire for smoother bokeh, but overall sentiment is highly positive.
“"true magic" rendering”
“"super fast accurate focus (quicker than some full-frame lenses)"”
